Homeopathy at the Dentist

In many people’s minds, homeopathy is quite a controversial treatment options, especially for people who are in the medical profession. After all, how can a couple of tablets that do not have a huge amount of ingredients inside them make any difference to a patient, other than the very powerful placebo effect?

Homeopathic dentistry is one branch of holistic dentistry which is a way of thinking about a patient as a whole, rather than ignoring 90% of the body to focus on just their mouths. So how does homeopathy help dental patients?

Arnica Homeopathic Tablets

One of the most commonly used homeopathic treatments is arnica, but there are many more that are just as useful. Aconite is used for shock, Zingiber for gagging and nausea; Gelsemium for nerves, Chamomilla for reducing numbness, and Ledum will reduce pain from injections. All of these and more can be useful for dental patients. Almost every dental procedure will involve the tiny tubules that you can find inside the root of a tooth, which is why sensitivity after a treatment or procedure is very common. Hypericum is very useful for this problem by reducing the pain to nerves, and so is often used after a root canal. Magnesium phosphorus is often used for pain, which is why it is commonly referred to as homeopathic aspirin. Sensitive teeth can use Plantago, which can also be applied directly to a cavity.

The advances in dental technology and research means now that a patient can achieve in one visit what would have taken five or six appointments twenty years ago. Everyone is going after that perfect smile, whether it be from crowns, whitening, veneers, or inlays – but all of these treatments involve holding your jaw open for a very extended period of time. Magnesium Phosphorus and Causticum are often used for cramping of the jaw, and Arnica is taken for soreness and bruising. For a soothing mouthwash after such procedures, you can use a couple of drops of Hypericum and Calendula in warm water.

Chamomilla is often given to teething babies, providing relief from the stress and pain – and homeopathic professionals also advise that if your child is happy to take solid foods, you should not give them any milk after midday. A rising temperature from the pain of teething can actually curdle milk inside the stomach of a child, causing even more pain and upset.

If your child – or yourself – suffers from anxiety to the extent that it can cause nausea or even vomiting, then Nux Vomica is the perfect solution. Ruta can be used for those who are experiencing discomfort from braces, and is also brilliant for putting around a tooth that feels loose. Staphysagria and Calendula are perfect if braces are cutting into the soft delicate tissue of the mouth.

If you want bone splinters to soften up, then use Silica 6C twice a day – but if this is due to implants, use Ruta instead as Silica can cause implant rejection. The two most common side effects of a dental procedure are pain and swelling, but taking Arnica before and after the procedure will greatly reduce them both.

If you are bleeding in your mouth and the blood is very bright, then you should use Phosphorus – but if it has a slight blue tinge, then use Lachesis. After a tooth extraction the area may become infected, but you can use gunpowder to ease the pain, and prevent the infection. Abscesses require Belladona, and Mmyristica will help if there is also swelling. Hepar Sulph 6C can be used if the abscess keeps recurring, and allow your body to remove the pus developing. Any ulcers can be treated with Feverfew, and if they continue to return then use Feverfew for a few days after it has disappeared. Cold sores will require Rhus Tox, and when having amalgam fillings removed, use Merc Sol to flush all of your body of the mercury.

There are several remedies for toothache. If you have:

Sensitivity to heat – Pulsatilla

Pain accompanied by bruising – Arnica

Shooting pain – Magnesium phosphate

Sensitivity to cold – Coffea

Pain aggravated by clenching – Staphisagria

If rubbing the cheek helps – Merc Sol

Pain after being in cold, dry wind – Aconite

Pain with swelling or abscess – Silica

Throbbing pain – Belladonna

Pain that originates in the nerve – Hypericum or Chamomilla

Although some tooth pain will originally come from the tooth itself, in some cases gum disease is to blame. Treating gum disease with homeopathic remedies is much more complicated than the above health issues, so you will need to discuss your exact situation with a homeopathic dentist.